It is a long story. Kinship caregivers have been left out
of the law 'child and safe family act' by former president
Bill Clinton, it forgot to protect the 1.35 million children
living with relatives whom would adopt them if the Court
would follow the same laws established for fostercare
situations. I live in Michigan and this last week on
May 17 2006
I had to put her into a state workers car and buckle her
in the seat while she cried 'mama I don't want to go away
with him, I want to go home with you and daddy'
We lost my granddaughter whom I had for 4 of her
4 1/2 years and 2 1/2 of these years I had custody from
the State of Georgia stating if mom did not petition the
court within 2 years and show significant changes, then I
was to seek permanency in my state. These papers
expired 9 months ago while waiting for my court date.
I tried it and the judge returned the child to the mother
even with my lawyer proving her to be unchanged and the
mother admitted it. The judge returned the child to
her mother and ordered me the grandmother to pay the
mothers lawyer fees! This child does not know who her
mother is and only seen her for maybe 10 hours in the
past 3-1/2 years and she still did not know who this person
was. I get no visits and lost my 'child' to the city life her
mother is living and she now has two smaller children...
bringing me to you and all the readers for help.
I have my state representative willing to help change
the wording in that law to help all of us who are raising
relatives children with no real legal safety. I found that
if I can get each person who agrees with me that the child
should have remained with me since the mother did not
comply before the 2 years was over with significant changes
and that the court should have terminated her rights and
allowed me to adopt her, then maybe we can get this
judge removed and then get this child returned to us
where she wants to be and needs to be.
If you agree please send me a letter of support and
email it as soon as possiable to richtrailer@yahoo.com
these letters will be printed and taken to the state and
if it works we can all take part in changing the law nation
wide to protect these children. We pray for the return
of our baby and that you find within your hearts to get
involved by showing your support, maybe we can make
it happen if we are loud enough, please remember e-mail
is free, so get a support letter written today, it can't hurt
to try again! It is for the children's best interest.
Barb richtrailer@yahoo.com and IM at richtrailer